WEST POKOT — The West Pokot County Government has received a historic consignment of medical supplies valued at Sh81.2 million from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), marking the county’s largest healthcare procurement to date. The consignment is slated for distribution across 173 primary and secondary health facilities spanning all six sub-counties.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Governor Simon Kachapin noted that the latest delivery surpasses the county’s previous record purchase of Sh75 million. He attributed the surge in procurement volume to the rapid expansion of the local public health network, which includes newly constructed facilities and recently reactivated dispensaries that previously operated without reliable drug supplies.
The Sh81.2 million consignment includes Sh50.3 million worth of pharmaceutical products and Sh21.2 million in non-pharmaceutical supplies. The remaining allocation covers laboratory diagnostic products, linen, public health commodities, basic equipment, specialized medical supplies, and renal consumables valued at Sh610,200.
Fourteen newly opened or revived dispensaries are among the primary beneficiaries. These include Wasat and Kurer in Pokot North, Kamelei in Pokot South, Akiriamet in Pokot Central, and Shongen in Kacheliba. Sub-county allocations place West Pokot Sub-County as the highest recipient at Sh36.18 million, followed by Pokot Central at Sh11.72 million, Kacheliba at Sh10.41 million, Kipkomo at Sh8.91 million, Pokot North at Sh7.78 million, and Pokot South at Sh6.24 million.
Governor Kachapin reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to bolstering the local health sector through workforce expansion, structural additions, and modern equipment upgrades. Highlighted projects include the establishment of an amenity wing at Kapenguria County Referral Hospital for semi-private services, the delivery of the county’s first-ever CT scan machine, and a Sh500 million joint venture with the national government to expand Kabichbich Sub-County Hospital.
Addressing fiscal obligations, Kachapin confirmed that the county government has cleared all outstanding debts owed to KEMSA. However, he issued a stern warning to public health workers and custodians against the theft or diversion of public medical supplies, promising direct prosecution for anyone caught mismanaging the resources.
To ensure transparency, County Executive Committee Member for Health and Sanitation Claire Parklea revealed that the county has deployed digital tracking systems to monitor drug movements from reception to patient dispensing. She noted that Kapenguria County Referral Hospital is operating nearly 99 percent paperless under 24-hour CCTV surveillance to guarantee accountability.
The arrival of the medical supplies coincides with the resolution of a month-long healthcare strike following a return-to-work agreement with nurses and clinical officers. Welcoming the developments, Mnagei Ward MCA and County Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard Todosia assured residents that the local legislature would maintain strict oversight over the health department to guarantee seamless service delivery.
